Melges 24 Finnish Open Championship 2004
Mariehamn - Finland - 23rd to 25th of July

The International Melges 24 Finnish Open Championships 2004 will be organised by the Ålanska Segelsällskapet r.y. , The Finnish Melges 24 Class Association in co-operation with The Melges 24 International Class Association.

1. RULES.

The regatta will be governed by The Racing Rules of Sailing, the prescriptions of the Finnish Sailing Association, the Rules of the International Melges 24 Class, the International Melges 24 Class Regatta Regulations, this Notice of Race which may be changed by further notices, the Sailing Instructions and their appendices.

2. ELIGIBILITY.

The Finnish Open Championships 2004 will be open to all boats of the Melges 24 Class that meet with the obligations of the Class Rules and their National Authority, in the case that the National Authority exists. The ISAF Sailors Classification Code shall apply to the Corinthian Trophy.

3. REGISTRATION.

Registration will take place at the Ålänska Segelsällskapet Club House as follows:

All boats shall be afloat before 13.00 on Friday the 23rd of July 2004.
Boats shall not be hauled out during the regatta, except with prior written
permission of the Jury.

4. ENTRY.

All entries shall be done ONLY through the internet, www.melges.org/finnishchamps.The entry is not valid until the entry fee has been paid. The entry fee shall be paid directly to bank account of the organising club.

ENTRY CLOSES ON Friday 25.6.2004.
Late entries after this date will attract a 30% surcharge.

5. ENTRY FEE.

The entry fee is 100 euros. All necessary bank information will be updated to this page within the next month.

6. ADVERTISING.

The event is classified Category C.

7. MEASUREMENT - INSPECTION.

The organisers may weigh, measure or inspect any boat and/or her equipment before, during or after the races. Measurement and sail registration shall initially take place during the same times as registration (3. above). There will be no facilities for initial measurement.

Chartered or loaned boats may display National Letters and sail numbers in contravention of the class rules. A valid measurement certificate for the chartered or loaned boat shall be presented. Boats shall comply with Class Rule C.2.3.2. and C.1.2.

8. SCHEDULE OF RACES.

The scheduled start time of the first race is 15:00 on Friday the 23rd of July. There will be one to three races per day. The series will constitute eight races of which the score of one may be discarded if six or more races are sailed.

9. SCORING SYSTEM.

The Low Point System RRS Appendix A4 shall apply.

10 . ALTERNATIVE PENALTIES.

RRS 44.1 and 44.2 shall apply, except that 720 degrees is modified to a requirement for a turn of 360 degrees.

11. JURY.

A Jury shall be appointed in accordance with RRS 89(b).

12. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS.

The sailing instructions will be available from the Regatta Office during registration.

13. COURSE.

The course shall be a Windward - Leeward configuration, with fleet racing. Spreader marks and leeward gates shall be used.

14. LIABILITY - INSURANCE.

The safety of a boat and her entire management shall be the sole and inescapable responsibility of the owner or owners representative. The boat is required to hold adequate insurance including third-party, and it is the owner or owner’s representative’s sole and inescapable responsibility to ensure that the insurance is in place and is adequate. No responsibility will be accepted either by The National Melges Class Association, the Ålanska Segelsällskapet r.y., The International Class Association or any other party involved in the organisation of the Regatta.

15. PRIZES.

Daily prizes will be awarded to the first boat in each race. The Finnish Open Championship Trophy will be awarded to the boat with the overall lowest score. Prizes will be awarded to the next two (2) positions.

16. SOCIAL.

Friday the 23rd of July: After sail bar. Dress: Smart Team or Club.

Saturday the 24th of July: Opening reception & buffet dinner. Dress: Smart Team or Club.

Sunday the 25th of July: Prizegiving. Dress Smart Team or Club.

17. ACCOMMODATION AND FERRY BOOKINGS

Competitors should make their own arrangements and are strongly advised to do so as early as possible. An accommodation and ferry company list is available on this web site.